N-(2-hydroxy phenyl) acetamide: a novel suppressor of Toll-like receptors (TLR-2 and TLR-4) in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats

Plasma metabolomic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection

Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 have spread rapidly worldwide; however, most infected patients have mild or no symptoms. This study aimed to understand the host response to Omicron infections by performing metabolomic profiling of plasma. We observed that Omicron infections triggered an inflammatory response and innate immune, and adaptive immunity was suppressed, including reduced T-cell response and immunoglobulin antibody production. Similar to the original SARS-CoV-2 strain circulating in 2019, the host developed an anti-inflammatory response and accelerated energy metabolism in response to Omicron infection. However, differential regulation of macrophage polarization and reduced neutrophil function has been observed in Omicron infections. Interferon-induced antiviral immunity was not as strong in Omicron infections as in the original SARS-CoV-2 infections. The host response to Omicron infections increased antioxidant capacity and liver detoxification more than in the original strain. Hence, these findings suggest that Omicron infections cause weaker inflammatory alterations and immune responses than the original SARS-CoV-2 strain.

Total Flavonoids of Bidens pilosa Ameliorates Bone Destruction in Collagen-Induced Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the infiltration of synovial inflammatory cells and progressive joint destruction. Total flavonoids of Bidens pilosa have been used against inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, but its role in bone destruction remains to be explored. The aim of this paper was to study whether total flavonoids of B. pilosa relieve the severity of collagen-induced arthritis in rats, particularly whether it regulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines and the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand/osteoprotegerin signaling pathway. In this research, a collagen-induced disease model was induced in adult rats by subcutaneous injection of collagen II. Total flavonoids of B. pilosa at different doses (40, 80, and 160 mg/kg/d) were administered intragastrically, while methotrexate (1 mg/kg/w) was injected intraperitoneally as a positive control. Paw swelling, arthritis score, and body weight were assessed and evaluated. The severity of joint damage was determined using X-ray and confirmed by histopathology. The expression levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, osteoprotegerin, IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF in the serum and tissue were assayed using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. We found that total flavonoids of B. pilosa attenuated collagen-induced arthritis at the macroscopic level, and total flavonoids of B. pilosa-treated rats showed reduced paw swelling, arthritis scores, and X-ray appearance of collagen-induced arthritis in addition to improved histopathological results. These findings were consistent with reduced serum and tissue receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, TNF, IL-1β, and IL-17 levels but increased osteoprotegerin levels. Our data suggest that total flavonoids of B. pilosa attenuate collagen-induced arthritis by suppressing the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB/osteoprotegerin pathway and the subsequent production of proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, total flavonoids of B. pilosa may be a promising therapeutic candidate for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Emerging medical therapies in crush syndrome - progress report from basic sciences and potential future avenues

Crush injury is a disease that is commonly found in victims of earthquakes, debris flows, mine disasters, explosions, terrorist attacks, local wars, and other accidents. The complications that arise due to the crush injury inflicted on victims give rise to crush syndrome (CS). If not treated in time, the mortality rate of CS is very high. The most important measure that can be taken to reduce mortality in such situations is to immediately start treatment. However, the traditional treatment methods such as fluid resuscitation, diuresis, and hemodialysis are not feasible enough to be carried out at the disaster scene. So there is a need for developing new treatments that are efficient and convenient. Because it is difficult to diagnose in the disaster area and reach the treatment equipment and treat on time. It has become a new research needs to be directed into identifying new medical treatment targets and methods using the etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms of CS. In recent years, a large number of new anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory drug therapies have been shown to be highly efficacious in CS rat/mouse models. Some of them are expected to become specific drugs for the emergency treatment of a large number of patients who may develop CS in the aftermath of earthquakes, wars, and other disasters in the future. Hence, we have reviewed the latest research on the medical therapy of CS as a source for anyone wishing to pursue research in this direction.

The Crystal Structure of Orthocetamol Solved by 3D Electron Diffraction

Orthocetamol is a regioisomer of the well-known pain medication paracetamol and a promising analgesic and an anti-arthritic medicament itself. However, orthocetamol cannot be grown as single crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction, so its crystal structure has remained a mystery for more than a century. Here, we report the ab-initio structure determination of orthocetamol obtained by 3D electron diffraction, combining a low-dose acquisition method and a dedicated single-electron detector for recording the diffracted intensities. The structure is monoclinic, with a pseudo-tetragonal cell that favors multiple twinning on a scale of a few tens of nanometers. The successful application of 3D electron diffraction to orthocetamol introduces a new gold standard of total structure solution in all cases where X-ray diffraction and electron-microscope imaging methods fail.

N-(2-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide (NA-2) elicits potent antitumor effect against human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7)

Breast cancer is the most dominating malignancy in females worldwide. Treatment with conventional chemotherapeutics is associated with severe adverse effects. Thus need of new compounds, with better therapeutic potential and lesser side effects still exist. In this context the present study is planned to investigate therapeutic potential of anti-inflammatory compound N-(2- hydroxyphenyl) acetamide (NA-2) against breast cancer cells (MCF-7). The compound was selected on the basis of its reported anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and anti-glioblastoma activities in our previous studies. MTT, Annexin-V-FITC and wound healing assays were used to analyze the effect of compound on growth inhibition, apoptosis and metastasis. While flow cytometry, RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry techniques were used to assess the effect of NA-2 on cell cycle arrest, and expression of apoptotic markers (Bax and Bcl-2) at both mRNA and protein level respectively. Data analysis revealed that NA-2 significantly inhibits growth of MCF-7 cells after 48 h treatment (IC₅₀ = 1.65 mM). NA-2 also delayed the wound healing process, arrested cell cycle at G0/G1 phase and induced apoptosis by enhancing Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. We concluded that NA-2 possesses strong anticancer activity against MCF-7 cells, which is mediated through different mechanisms, making it a useful molecule for the development of new antitumor drugs.

Amelioration of adjuvant induced arthritis in Sprague Dawley rats through modulation of inflammatory mediators by Ribes alpestre Decne

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ribes alpestre Decne has been commonly used in the treatment of joint complaints.

AIM OF STUDY

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antiarthritic potential of ethanolic extract and fractions of Ribes alpestre and to explore its probable mechanism of action.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Complete Freunds adjuvant induced arthritis in Sprague Dawley rats was used to assess antiarthritic activity of aqueous ethanol extract, butanol and aqueous fractions at 200 mg/kg oral dose for 28 days. Paw volume and diameter, arthritic index, body weight, hematological and biochemical parameters, radiographic and histological analysis of ankle joints were carried out. An array of pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, NF-Kβ, TNF-α, COX-2, IL-4, IL-10 and PGE2) were estimated by RT-PCR and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH and reducing power assays. Qualitative phytochemical screening, total phenolic and flavonoid content and HPLC analysis of aqueous fraction of Ribes alpestre were also carried out.

RESULTS

Significant (p < 0.001) reduction in paw volume and thickness and arthritic score by aqueous ethanolic extract and its fractions has been found. Aqueous ethanolic extract and fractions in particular aqueous fraction considerably prevented decrease in body weight, alterations in hematological parameters. Radiographic and histological examination revealed no significant architectural changes in joints of treated rats. Significant (p < 0.05-0.001) down regulation of pro-inflammatory genes IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, PGE2 and NF-Kβ alongwith noteworthy increase in levels of IL-4 and IL-10 was recorded among treated animals. Aqueous ethanol extract and its fractions demonstrated notable and concentration dependent (50-6400 μg/ml) antioxidant potential. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of active fraction (aqueous) displayed presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and glycosides. Besides total phenolic and flavonoid contents has been found to be 179.3 mg GAE/ml and 389.40 μg QE/ml in aqueous fraction of Ribes alpestre respectively. HPLC profile demonstrated presence of quercitin, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid and cinamic acid in aqueous fraction.

CONCLUSION

Present communication suggests Ribes alpestre a potent antiarthritic therapy by ameliorating adjuvant arthritis in rats by downregulating proinflammatory mediators with up regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Rutin and rutin-conjugated gold nanoparticles ameliorate collagen-induced arthritis in rats through inhibition of NF-κB and iNOS activation

Numerous studies have suggested that nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are important mediators of inflammatory response in human and animal models of arthritis. Besides, oxidative stress markers, nitric oxide (NO) and peroxide (PO) are also major contributors in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Over expression of these inflammatory mediators leads to the extracellular matrix degradation, and excessive cartilage and bone resorption, ultimately leading to the irreversible damage to joints. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-arthritic mechanism of bioflavonoids, rutin and rutin-conjugated gold nanoparticles (R-AuNPs) by determining their role in the modulation of NF-κB and iNOS expression in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model of rats. Arthritis was induced by the subcutaneous administration of bovine type II collagen. Treatment was started with rutin, indomethacin + rutin (I + R) and R-AuNPs on the day of CIA induction. The severity of arthritis was determined by measuring the arthritic score on alternate days until mean arthritic score of 4 was observed. The NO and PO levels were also analyzed in serum samples. NF-κB and iNOS expression levels were determined in spleen tissue samples by real time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Marked reduction in the arthritic score as well as in the NO and PO levels was observed in the treated groups. A significant downregulation in the NF-κB and iNOS expression levels was also observed in the treatment groups compared to the arthritic control group. Collectively, the findings suggest potential clinical role of rutin and R-AuNPs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Bergenin loaded gum xanthan stabilized silver nanoparticles suppress synovial inflammation through modulation of the immune response and oxidative stress in adjuvant induced arthritic rats

Bergenin (BG) is a naturally occurring C-glycoside with demonstrated anti-arthritic potential.